The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1887-09-22
). o. ADAMS. FUNERAL
An Interesting Personal "Reminiscences Of
the Late Ben: Periey Poore.

| An Interesting Personal "Reminiscences Of
the Late Ben: Periey Poofe.
The funeral of John Quincy Adams
was celebrated at Washington. on the
Goth of February, 1913. Minute guns
were fired. the Executive departments
were put in mourning, and many OF
the private buildings on Pennsylvania
avenue were also hung with black.
The stores were closed and all business
suspended. The various societies and
public bodies commenced forming at
eleven o'clock, and moved toward the
capitol under military escort. The
crowd in and around the capitol was
unprecedented. Many people had
come in from the country around to
witness the ceremonies. A large por-
ton of the Legislature of Maryland
and many citizeas from Annapolis and
Baltimore were present.
At ten minutes before twelve the
Speaker called the House to order, at
which moment the bell on Capitol Hill
commenced its solemn tolling, as the
ceremonies. The President of the
United States and heads of the depart
ments entered the hall, the former TAX
ing his seat on the right of the Speaker.
The Judges of the Supreme Court in
their gowns, the officers of the army
and navy in full uniform, the foreign
Ministers and their suites in splendid
costume, followed, and took their seats
upon the right and left of the area, in
front of the Speakers chair. The Sem
ate of the United States then entered,
with the Vice President, the latter tax
ing his seat on the Speakers left. Mr..
&. F. Adams and others of the family,
and friends of the deceased, occupied
range of seats provided for them on the
left of the area.
After pause of some minutes. Sena-
tors Webster and Davis, and Massa.
chusetts delegation, as mourners, and
in black scarfs and bands, entered the
hall preceding the coffin, which wa;
brought in in charge of the pall-bearers
and the committee of arrangements.
The coffin wat placed on the bier in the
area in front of the Speaker. After de.
posting the coffin, those who had it in
charge remained standing around it fol
number of minutes in impressive
silence, while the whole assembly rose.
The coffin, which was of lead, Ell.
closed in mahogany, was silver
mounted and covered with black silk
velvet trimmed with silver. A silver
heart-shaped plate. decorated with
spread eagle, bore the following in.
scription, which was written, at the re-
quest of the Massachusetts delegation,
by Daniel Webster, to wit:
John Quincy Adams,
Born,
An inhabitant of Massachusetts, July II, 17GE
Died,
citizen of the United States,
In the Capitol at Washington,
February %, 1913,
Having served his country for half century,
and
Enjoyed its highest Honors.
The hangings over the Speakers
chair were shrouded in black. as also
was the figure of history. over the prin.
cipal entrance, and the portraits OF
Washington and Lafayette. etc.
The chaplain of the House opened
the service with prayer. This was fol.
lowed by a solemn dirge sung by q
choir in the ladies' gallery. An ap-
propriate address was delivered by the
chaplain, occupying about fifty min.
utes. The closing hymn was sung by
the choir. and the funeral procession
was then formed, moving through the
rotunda to the east portico of the cap
itol, where the carriages were in wait.
ing.
The funeral car. though simple, was
very tasteful and elegant. The bier
was decorated with funeral urns, and
the canopy over the coffin was sur
mounted by an eagle, the whole being
covered with velvet and Grape. The
car was drawn by six elegant white
horses. caparisoned in black, and led
by grooms with white scarfs.
The funeral cortege, preceded by q
troop of horse and battalion of in
fantry, moved in long and imposing
procession to the Congressional GENE
terry. The coffin was then deposited in
the receiving vault, after the perform I
ance of the burial service of the Pro-
testapt Episcopal Church, but was sub
sequently removed to the family tomb
at Quincy. Mass.-Ben: PerleY Poore, in
PoeTo,1 P,o1oof